When choosing a battery for a mobile phone, you should first determine its compatibility with the device.
How to choose a cell phone battery: what to look for
The main criteria for choosing a battery for a mobile phone are:
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Compatibility with the used phone;
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Capacity.
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It is also worth considering that the battery can be internal or external. The latter type of batteries, the so-called 'power banks', do not fit into the phone case and are intended to be used as a portable charger.
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The battery manufacturer is also important.
Main selection criteria
The most important selection parameters are type, compatibility and capacity.
Battery type
By type, batteries are classified as internal and external (portable).
Internal batteries
The internal battery is a vital functional element of your phone. It is from him that all the other microcircuits are powered by electricity. Basically, no mobile phone can function without an internal battery installed.
Internal batteries are always supplied with the mobile phone. They have a long service life, so they will have to be replaced either in case of damage (for example, due to drowning or swelling), or after significant wear.
The 'symptoms' that signal the need to replace the internal battery are:
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Its swelling or some other spontaneous deformation;
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Fast discharge of the phone with an unexpectedly fast or, on the contrary, slow charge;
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Heat build-up during normal use.
Of course, a long operating period is achieved only with proper handling of the phone – it does not remain near heating elements, in direct sunlight, and is not used in extremely low temperatures or very high humidity.
Internal batteries are usually not cross-compatible. That is, they are designed to be used with one specific phone. Moreover, this 'specialization' is achieved as structurally – the battery has the dimensions, shape and arrangement of contacts, allowing it to be installed only in the lodgement of a particular model; and at the electrical level – the current and voltage of the battery are intended for use only in compatible electronics.
As a result, it is not worth trying to install a battery from one phone in the lodgement of another – even if it is structurally possible, it is not a fact that it will not 'ditch' the delicate electronics inside the device.
Portable batteries
Portable batteries (external, 'power banks') are not an alternative to the internal one. The phone will not be able to work with just such a battery. Portable batteries are designed for an 'emergency' recharging of the device in conditions of inaccessibility of the usual household network – on long trips, camping trips or during a banal power outage.
The principle of operation of an external battery is quite simple. First, it charges itself, then stores energy for some time (usually quite long, on the order of several weeks), and when the phone is connected, it recharges it.
Compatibility
As mentioned above, different manufacturers of mobile phones make devices with different shapes of battery cradles and current-voltage characteristics of batteries. Therefore, it is very important to determine compatibility.
Usually it is indicated directly on the battery packaging. Its technical specifications provide a list of devices to which it will fit.
An alternative option is to search for a battery by a specific model of the battery itself. It can be found on a sticker on this very battery.
Battery capacity
The battery capacity affects the battery life of the device. Therefore, the higher it is, the better. But it is worth remembering that batteries of very large capacity are usually quite large in size and therefore may simply not fit under the back cover of the device.
It is desirable that the capacity of the new battery corresponds to the capacity of the replaced one or slightly exceeds it. This will ensure maximum compatibility.
How to choose an external battery for your phone
An external battery, also known as a portable charger, is designed to restore the energy reserve in the internal battery of a smartphone. Therefore, the main criterion for selection is the capacity of this device. Additionally, you can pay attention to the output current and the material of the case.
External battery capacity
The higher the capacity of the external battery, the more times it can recharge the phone. However, the peculiarity of mobile phones is that they are initially equipped with rather 'small' internal batteries. On average, their capacity is about 1000-1500 mAh.
Therefore, they simply do not need a really large external battery. Even a budget model with 5000 mAh battery will be enough for 2-3 recharges. It only makes sense to buy a more 'roomy' battery if you are planning long trips.
It is worth remembering that the battery capacity indicated on its packaging is slightly different from the real one. This is due to a number of factors including self-discharge, transmission loss, and other purely physical phenomena. Therefore, an external battery rated for 5000 mAh is enough for 2 phone charges, the capacity of the built-in battery of which is 1500 mAh.
For urban use and short trips, a 5000 mAh battery will suffice. For long trips, it is advisable to purchase models with 10,000 mAh or more.
Charging current
The charging current determines the rate at which the phone recharges. The higher it is, the faster the internal battery of the device will restore its reserve.
But there are also a few 'buts' here. Old mobile phones are not designed for high charging currents – if the power supply exceeds 1 A, they can simply burn out. In addition, this high amperage can damage the internal battery.
Therefore, for use with mobile phones, it is advisable to purchase external batteries designed for 1 A or even less. Of course, in this case, a full charge will take quite a long time (up to several hours), but the risk of damage will be minimal.
New mobile phones (for example, released by Nokia in 2016-2017) can operate with high charging currents. For them, you can purchase a powerbank designed for 2.1 A.
Body material
Some practical and operational properties of the powerbank depend on the case material. Typically, these devices are made in metal or plastic.
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Plastic is a cheap and fairly practical material. However, it is not scratch resistant and can be damaged if dropped. Therefore, it is advisable to use plastic power banks very carefully.
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Metal is more expensive, but also more stable. It does not scratch or crack. The disadvantage of the metal is its thermal properties. It quickly freezes and leads to intense self-discharge of the built-in batteries in cold weather. Therefore, metal external batteries are not suitable for use at low temperatures.
Best phone battery manufacturers
Among the manufacturers of the highest quality internal batteries for phones, the following companies can be distinguished:
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Craftmann;
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TF1 (TelForceOne);
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Partner.
Of course, the best internal batteries are original, that is, from the same company that made the phone.
Among the manufacturers of external batteries are:
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Inter-Step;
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Xiaomi;
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Hiper.
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Canyon products are also suitable for modern phones.
In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a smartphone case and the secrets of choosing a protective glass for your smartphone.
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
